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ARTS | FESTIVALS
A decent proposal
As we anticipate the 20th annual Jane Austen Festival this month, festival director Jackie Herring considers the theme of marriage proposals within Austen’s novels; it seems there are a fair few...
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ll six of Jane Austen’s novels take her readers on a journey. In each case the heroines learn who they are, who they want to be, and who they want to be with. The Georgian context doesn’t undermine the freshness and believability of the characters, because they remind us of ourselves. We are particularly lucky as we can visit the real-life locations of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both set in the city of Bath. One of the city’s most romantic settings is the pathway known as the Gravel Walk, from John Wood the Younger’s Royal Crescent to John Wood the Elder’s Queen Square. This now tarmacked walk passes the back gardens in Brock Street and was the setting for the final coming together of Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot in Persuasion. This most romantic ending was facilitated by Wentworth’s letter with the emotive words, “You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope… I offer myself to you again …” How could anyone resist such a declaration? All of Austen’s six novels and indeed her epistolary work Lady Susan contain marriage proposals, some better known than others. Even non-Austen readers are likely to be aware of the proposal by Mr Collins to Elizabeth Bennet, in Pride & Prejudice, who instead of declaring undying love for Elizabeth tells her, “My reasons for marrying are… I think it a right thing for every clergyman… it will add… to my happiness… it is the… advice and recommendation of… my patroness…” It’s not surprising that Elizabeth rejected him. Mr Collins was not the only suitor after Elizabeth’s hand, and the first proposal of marriage from Mr Darcy was also rejected – and the poor man started so well! “In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you
Theo James as Sydney Parker and Rose Williams as Charlotte Heywood in the 2019 ITV production of Sanditon. Sydney almost proposes to Charlotte at the Midsummer’s Ball
how ardently I admire and love you." If only he had stopped there, Elizabeth might have been tempted. Instead he went on to insult her family, telling her that despite low connections and inferiority of birth he still wanted her to be his wife. Not the most persuasive of arguments and Elizabeth turns him down. Another unsuccessful marriage proposal appears in Northanger Abbey where the heroine is totally oblivious to the proposal. Catherine Morland is at Edgar Buildings visiting her friend Isabella Thorpe, when she is approached by Isabella’s brother John. “A famous good thing this marrying scheme, upon my soul... What do you think of it, Miss Morland?...” “I am sure I think it a very good one...” “Do you? That’s honest, by heavens!... Did you ever hear the old song going to one wedding brings on another?... I say… we may try the truth of this same old song...” “May we? But I never sing…” Missed the proposal? So did Catherine. However, John Thorpe was left “to the undivided consciousness of his own happy address, and her explicit encouragement…” In the end, Catherine Morland finds happiness with Henry Tilney, whose proposal speech is known only to the author. Nevertheless, the result is marriage between the two. Mr Elton’s misguided declaration in Emma is another example of a rejected proposal. Emma finds herself travelling alone in a carriage with Mr Elton when, “Her hand seized – her attention demanded, and Mr. Elton … availing himself of the precious opportunity, declaring sentiments… hoping – fearing – adoring – ready to die if she refused.”
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20 TheBATHMagazine
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sepTeMber 2021
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issue 223
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Engraving for Persuasion, chapter 23: Wentworth drew out a letter from under the scattered paper, placed it before Anne with eyes of glowing entreaty fixed on her for a time.
“Austen’s masterly description of the courtship and final realisation of the depth of feeling between Mr Knightly and Emma keeps the reader in utter suspense.”
